Our research deals with the potential and limits of development and change in cognitive functioning, self-regulation, interpersonal relationships, and well-being in midlife and old age.

Why is this important? First, because this is relatively unchartered territory. Compared to the first 30 years of life, developmental scientists know little about normative trajectories of change in later life. A second reason is that many people can now expect to live a long life. Over the last 100 years, average life expectancy has increased in developed countries by almost 30 years.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal data from multidisciplinary studies are complemented by experimental research to investigate such questions as:

How do older adults maintain their vitality and sense of well-being?

Why are some individuals more vital for more years than others?

How do older couples affect each others aging?

Does the quality of social and interpersonal interactions change later in life?

Are social images of aging changing?

What skills improve with age and life-long experience?

Do older and younger adults learn new information in different ways?

Does early life development prepare individuals for the health and social challenges of a long life?